(Event Report) Japanese pop music fans in the Philippines were never left out in this year’s Toycon + Pop Life FanXperience (TOYCON) as former NMB48 member Nana Yamada and J-pop duo Yanakiku graced the stage in one of the biggest pop-culture event in the country last weekend.
YANAKIKU
Having performed for the first time in the Philippines during TOYCON 2016, the J-pop female vocal duo, composed of simply Yana and Kiku, won the hearts of many Filipino fans once more with their unique KIMOCOS (Kimono Cosplay) and high-energy performance at this year’s TOYCON.
Their performance was scheduled for 12NN on Saturday and 1PM on Sunday. The duo performed songs from their album and singles including Fujiyama Disco, Sabon no Yuwaku, Kanpai Night and FUNK JAPAN. During their performance, YANAKIKU greeted their Filipino fans in Tagalog and even included Filipino tongue twisters while singing FUNK JAPAN.
A mini meet-and-greet was held after the show and fans was able to take photos with photos and purchase exclusive YANAKIKU merchandise.
NANA YAMADA
Despite the late announcement by the organizers of her guesting, local fans of AKB48’s sister group NMB48 were very happy with the presence of former NMB48 member Nana Yamada in this year’s event.
The former captain of NMB48’s Team M performed live with the group’s 4th single Nagiichi and 10th Single Rashikunai. She also performed her solo rendition of Team N 3rd Stage song Zipper, to which she surprised her fans by stripping into her second costume on stage. Fans brought banners and light sticks just to cheer and support the former idol.
Her energetic performance may have left her short of breath, but nonetheless she was delighted to perform in front of the audience.
Her performance last Sunday, which was supposedly for 3:30PM, was moved to 1:00PM with no announcement to much dismay of some fans. She performed the same song from Saturday’s performance plus an encore song, Nagiichi.
As there were no scheduled fan meet for her, fans had a chance to shake her hand, give her gifts and take photos with her after the performance.
For the fans of the artists, this was a rare opportunity to be able meet their idols up close and see them perform live on stage.
Both of the artists enjoyed the warm welcome of their Filipino fans and expressed their wish to return back to the country for another live performance.
